Thiruvananthapuram, May 2 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday officially inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, a major infrastructure project developed at an estimated cost of Rs 8,867 crore. The port, located in Thiruvananthapuram district, is expected to significantly enhance India’s maritime trade capacity and contribute to economic stability in both Kerala and the broader national landscape.
As per agency report, Modi addressed a large gathering following the inauguration, where he highlighted the port’s potential to transform India into a key player in global shipping and logistics. He emphasized that the deep-water port has been specifically designed to accommodate large container vessels, a critical requirement for India’s growing trade demands. He noted that until now, about 75 percent of India’s transshipment activities were conducted through foreign ports, resulting in substantial revenue loss for the country. With the operationalization of Vizhinjam, much of this activity is expected to shift domestically, creating new economic opportunities for local communities and reducing financial outflows.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister stated that the port’s capabilities would be tripled in the near future, establishing it as a major transshipment hub. He added that the project represents a turning point in India’s maritime development, and marks a shift in how national wealth directly benefits its citizens. Modi underlined that Gujarat, despite being his home state, must now acknowledge that Kerala has become home to one of the country’s most strategically vital seaports, developed by Gautam Adani's Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), India’s largest port developer.
The Prime Minister acknowledged Kerala's historical significance in India’s maritime legacy, stating that in the pre-colonial era, India enjoyed a thriving economy with robust contributions to global GDP, much of which was fueled by prosperous port cities. He credited Kerala for playing a central role in that ancient success and said the new port revives that heritage in a modern context.
He also commented on the political significance of the event, calling Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan a pillar of the opposition 'INDIA' bloc, and humorously remarked that the port’s inauguration might cause sleepless nights for some. Modi responded to a mistranslation of his comments during the event by assuring that the intended message had nonetheless reached its audience.
The Prime Minister praised the cooperation between the Left-led Kerala government and the Adani Group, noting that State Ports Minister V N Vasavan referring to the corporate entity as a partner signifies a changing mindset in Indian governance and public-private collaboration.
The inauguration was attended by several dignitaries, including Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Chief Minister Vijayan, and Gautam Adani. Modi toured the port facilities wearing a safety helmet and reviewed ongoing operations and infrastructure, underscoring the government’s focus on modernizing India’s logistics backbone.
The port received its commercial commissioning certificate on December 4 last year, following successful trials. With full operations set to scale up soon, the Vizhinjam International Seaport is projected to reshape the dynamics of maritime trade in the region and boost India’s standing in global shipping corridors.
